Chinchillas are rodents that originally came from the Andes Mountains in South America. Today, about 3,000 chinchilla farms across the United States and Canada breed these animals, which have become popular as pets.
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are usually calm and curious animals. If you handle them often when they are young, they can become tame and form a bond with you. If they are not handled regularly when young, they can become nervous and fearful. Chinchillas rarely bite, and generally only if they feel stressed.
Because chinchillas are nocturnal, they sleep most of the day and are active and playful at night.
Chinchillas have very thick fur because they have up to 60 hairs growing from each hair follicle (versus the 1–3 hairs that grow from each human hair follicle). Originally, wild chinchillas’ fur was blue-gray, but now pet chinchillas come in many colors, including black, gray, white, beige, and color mixes. Their thick fur keeps them warm and protects them from fleas, lice, and predators.
Chinchillas have round bodies, large ears, short legs, and long tails.
Baby chinchillas weigh about 2–2½ ounces (60–70 grams) at birth. Adult chinchillas weigh between 1 and 1½ pounds (450–680 grams).
Females are usually larger than males. Chinchillas can grow up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) long, with the tail adding another 6 inches (15 centimeters).
Chinchillas live about 10–15 years, on average, but some pet chinchillas have lived up to 20 years.
